It’s doubtful that Queensland has ever produced a more versatile racing all rounder than Rockhampton based Tony McMahon who was forced to reduce his workload significantly following a freak stable accident in 2022. After 50 frantically busy years working in multiple roles within the racing industry, the 72 year old walked away from several commitments including his favourite pursuit of horse training. His many supporters were delighted to hear that the veteran will continue in the role of resident race caller for several regional race clubs. This man’s story is ready made for a racing podcast and we’re delighted he agreed to join this one. Tony begins our chat by looking back on the simple accident that would leave him with a badly damaged shoulder.

He has three race horses still in work with other trainers.

Tony identifies five tracks where he’ll continue to work as resident commentator.

The veteran takes us back to early days when he’d hitch a ride from the Gold Coast to Brisbane most Saturdays to meet an uncle at the metropolitan race meeting.

Tony remembers the days when he’d practice race calling onto a tape recorder and get top caller Vince Curry to review his work.

He recalls his disdain of the schoolroom and his first job with a Gold Coast bank.

He reflects on the night when he got a work colleague to listen to one of his phantom race calls. The exercise indirectly guided him towards a race calling career.

Tony hasn’t forgotten his audition call for the Lismore Turf Club whose course commentator was nearing retirement. He landed the job at just 17 years of age. He immediately quit his job at the ES&A Bank despite the misgivings of his parents.

He recalls jumping at an opportunity to call some harness racing for Brisbane radio.

Tony looks back on a surprise opportunity in the early 1970’s to act as race caller and handicapper for the Gold Coast Turf Club. A short time into the dual role he developed blood clots on his vocal chords. He was devastated to learn that his race calling days were over, at least in the short term.

He was thrilled when another door opened almost immediately- the dual role of assistant handicapper and cadet steward with the NRRA.

Tony talks of his next adventure. This time he landed the job of handicapper for the Newcastle Racing and Registration Board. He became the youngest handicapper to be appointed in NSW. He looks back on subsequent roles with the Wyong Race Club and the Newcastle Herald. It was around this time his voice returned and he was soon back behind the binoculars.

He remembers another change of direction in 1978 when the NRRA appointed him chief steward for race meetings in their northern sector. This made him the youngest chairman of stewards ever appointed in northern NSW and possibly the nation.

Finally Tony’s long time desire to train in his own right got the better of him. He acquired stables on the Gold Coast and kicked off with some ‘hand-me-down’ horses from Newcastle trainer Jim Johnstone. He joined an elite group of trainers to score with his very first starter.

Tony pays tribute to the horses who launched his career and helped him to establish a reputation as a serious horse trainer. He makes special mention of Konedobu, the frustrating horse who provided his first Brisbane city win and became his one and only Sydney runner.

The versatile racing identity pays a special tribute to former ace jockey Tony Erhart.

He looks back on a decision to set up shop as a trainer in faraway Rockhampton. It also brought him closer to his future wife Jean who’s been a tower of strength in subsequent years.

Once again a new door opened for Tony not long after arriving in Rocky. He walked straight into the roles of Callaghan Park race caller and racing writer for the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin. He held both jobs for many years.

He expresses gratitude for two journalistic awards to come his way.

Trainer McMahon pays tribute to three special horses who kept him in the training spotlight- Mamselle Corday, Paradis Imperial and Cindy Kate.

Queensland racing’s “Mr. Versatile” relates some humorous stories from his days as a stipendiary steward.

Tony pays tribute to daughter Elizabeth, son Chris and granddaughter Arabella.

He speaks affectionately of his receipt of the Pat Duff Trainer’s Association Award for long time services to Queensland racing.

Great to finally catch up with the amazingly versatile Tony McMahon, a true Queensland racing legend.

Our regular podcast has catered principally for racing fans since its introduction seven years ago. This week we break the mould by presenting an interview with Royce Simmons OAM who reached dizzy heights in his footballing career as both player and coach. From the time of his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2022, Royce hasn’t left a stone unturned in keeping himself fit enough to pursue every avenue in raising money for dementia research. His results have been inspiring. The celebrated hooker played in 238 games for Penrith between 1980-1991, ten for the NSW Blues and another ten in the green and gold of Australia. Every time I run into Royce at a sporting function I’m reminded of the fact that he should be a guest on our podcast. I issued an invitation at a recent Panthers charity luncheon and he graciously accepted.

Royce talks about his current state of health and the success of the “Royce’s Big Walk” initiative which has raised thousands of dollars for dementia research.

He talks about his recent hosting role at a Saturday afternoon Panthers initiative called “Royce’s Race Day”. Members and guests got to enjoy the best in food and drinks, good fellowship and the opportunity to chat with one of Penrith’s favourite sons.

Royce talks of his love of a dabble but doesn’t rate himself as a successful punter.

The Penrith Hall Of Famer talks of early life in the Lachlan Valley township of Canowindra where he developed a liking for the Rugby Union code.

Royce talks of his hard working parents and his siblings - two sisters and one brother. He reflects on a move to nearby Gooloogong when his father George purchased the local butcher shop.

He brings up the subject of Cocky Raider, a champion pacer of the late 60’s and early 70’s who was trained in the town by Jack McWilliam. Royce was just ten or eleven years of age but hasn’t forgotten the impact Cocky Raider had on the 500 residents of Gooloogong.

Royce looks back on his subsequent move to the big smoke and trial games for St George and South Sydney.

He hasn’t forgotten an unexpected approach from the Penrith Club generated by a recommendation from Parramatta star Barry Rushworth. To make it all come together Royce had to play two trial games in twenty four hours.

Many have forgotten that Simmons played lock forward in his first year with Penrith.

The former champion hooker talks of the radical changes in the scrum feed.

He looks back on his unforgettable debut for the NSW Blues in 1984.

Royce says he lost the job to Benny Elias in 1985, but returned the following year to get “Man Of The Match” in Game 1.

His form in the 1986 State Of Origin series earned him a spot in the Kangaroo squad to play three tests against NZ. He was the first Penrith product to play for Australia.

Later in 1986 Royce toured with the Kangaroo side in a six test series against Papua New Guinea, Great Britain and France. He didn’t get a break that year.

Royce talks about his seven years as captain of the Penrith side, a role he took very seriously.

He looks back on Penrith’s clash with a very strong Canberra side in the Winfield Cup Grand Final of 1990.

Perhaps Royce Simmons is best remembered for his two try contribution to Penrith’s first ever premiership win in 1991. It was his final appearance as a player, and one he’ll never forget.

Royce takes us through the circumstances under which his “double” eventuated.

The OAM inductee takes us through his coaching days which began with the St Mary’s first grade side but soon escalated to loftier heights.

On returning to Australia Royce was invited to take over the role of Panthers coach from the departing Phil Gould.

Royce looks back on seven happy years as assistant coach of the Wests Tigers under the leadership of Tim Sheens.

The former Penrith legend was gobsmacked when an offer came for him to coach the famous St Helen’s Club in England. It didn’t work out quite as well as Royce had hoped.

He pays tribute to his wonderful family - wife Liane, children Kirk, Britt, Carly and Demi and special mention of seven grandchildren.

Royce acknowledges the administrative talents of Brian Fletcher who recently announced impending retirement from his role as Panthers Group CEO.

I’ve never forgotten the Network Ten coverage of the 1991 Winfield Cup Grand Final. It was Penrith’s first premiership, and an unforgettable swansong for one of the club’s greatest sons.

Royce Simmons remembers the greatest day of his playing career on this week’s podcast.

Donna was at Albury airport waiting to board a Melbourne bound flight when we tracked her down last Friday. She found herself a quiet corner and was happy to join us on the podcast. The experienced horsewoman was literally thrust into the training business when her husband Brett died suddenly in 2008. Before commencing her solo career Donna opted for a year with the huge Darley operation, and has never regretted the decision. Today she trains a 25 horse team from the Albury racecourse precinct, and maintains a very good strike rate. Donna talks about a good recent run of winners with special mention of the promising One Hard Lady.

She takes us back to childhood days on the family farm where she was riding ponies from a tender age.

Donna talks of her father Graham Hulm who schooled her in the art of horse breaking.

She recalls learning the finer points of thoroughbred management from respected local trainer Ron Stubbs.

It was at the Stubbs Albury stable where Donna met her future husband Brett Scott. She talks of Brett’s achievements as a jockey in the southern districts and his transition into the training ranks.

Donna and Brett became the proud parents of Brett Jnr and Danielle. She pays tribute to the kids and talks of the four grandchildren who’ve come along in recent years.

She looks back on the trauma created by Brett’s passing and the small team of horses she inherited.

Donna will never forget the magical first win just two months after her husband’s passing.

Before getting too serious about a solo training career she opted for a stint with a major Sydney stable. She landed a job with the huge Darley operation and Danielle went with her.

Donna talks of Danielle’s brief stint as a jockey.

She speaks highly of Danielle’s partner Blaike McDougall, a jockey of great talent and a NSW premiership winner in 2020/2021.

Donna acknowledges the support of longtime stable foreperson Madi Connell and apprentices Amy O’Driscoll and Robert Wilcox.

The trainer makes special mention of Lord Von Costa, a family favourite who had a few trainers during his racing career. She got him very late but managed to win a stakes race at Flemington.

Donna had a lot of time for a mare called Bennelong Dancer who made her presence felt in two editions of the Country Championship.

She pays a special tribute to one of her all time favourites Our Last Cash.

Donna was thrilled to win a race at Caulfield with Takissacod.

She talks about another favourite Villasaurus - the horse to break her TAB Highway “duck”.

The trainer makes mention of Bautista, another of her Country Championship Final runners.

Donna talks about an early phobia she had regarding Sydney tracks.

She talks of the family farm Hazel Park named after a very special grandmother.

Donna talks of the trusty stable truck that gives her total independence in getting horses to the races.

Anthony Cavallo’s year long absence from the western districts riding ranks continues to arouse the curiosity of his many friends and TAB followers. A veteran of almost forty years in the saddle, Cavallo sustained multiple injuries in what appeared to be a simple fall at Wellington. Two fractured vertebrae in the upper back required a spinal fusion and the insertion of a metal plate. That plate is to be removed at the end of June, after which the veteran will determine the course of his future. Enquiries have been numerous about a likely return to the saddle for one of country racing’s most respected jockeys. “Choco” joins the podcast with his own version of events. He expresses his gratitude for the many messages of encouragement he’s received.

Anthony says he’d love to keep riding but intends to accept the judge’s decision.

He looks back on the Wellington fall and says he had absolutely no warning.

The jockey summarises an endless list of injuries.

He reflects on many race falls but says none of his injuries have been below the waist.

Cavallo looks back on one other nasty spill on the very same racetrack.

He looks back on the way in which his apprenticeship was arranged by his father and an uncle. He pays tribute to his master Ray Guy.

Anthony speaks freely about the nickname he was given by a co-worker soon after he joined the guy stable. He still gets that nickname from the majority of racing people.

Like most jockeys he has vivid recollections of his first winning ride 39 years ago.

He looks back on his one and only ride on multiple Gr 1 winner Potrero, the horse he rates the best he’s ridden in a race.

Tony hasn’t forgotten a stakes win at Randwick on a 140/1 pop called Reign of Honour. He got to ride the same filly in a Gr 1 two weeks later.

He looks back on the day at Warwick Farm when he won a Gr 3 race under the most unusual of circumstances.

Cavallo looks back on a feature country win which came out of the blue when Glen Boss had to forfeit the ride.

The veteran spent almost 8 years out of Australia during his long riding career. He reflects on stints in Singapore/Malaysia, Macau and Abu Dabi.

He goes back to 2016 when he was still riding a power of trackwork at Randwick, but spending Saturdays at country meetings. Finally it made good sense to base himself in the central west.

The jockey talks about his first country retreat at Cudgegong Waters near Mudgee. He loved the lifestyle.

He continued his usual practice of riding regular trackwork. He formed a successful partnership with dubbo horseman Kody Nestor.

Tony says he also got to Orange trackwork once a week for trainers like Alison Smith, Peter Cornish and Cindy Monaghan. He also rode work for Bob Howe on an abandoned picnic racecourse.

He talks of his recent move into Mudgee township where he lives with partner Amanda.

Anthony rarely rides in the city these days but has been able to win four editions of the TAB Highway. He looks back on those four wins.

With his all important medical assessment due in a month, he’s already contemplating the possibility of having to quit the saddle. He says he’d love to have some contact with horses going forward.

It’s a laid back chat with the little fellow of Italian descent who was besotted with thoroughbreds from the moment he walked into Ray Guy’s Rosehill stables.

Luke Marlow’s love affair with thoroughbreds can be traced to the days when he had photos of the champion mare Makybe Diva prominently displayed on his bedroom walls. Around this time his parents were managing the Merlo Downs Stud at Minden about 63 kms west of Brisbane. Luke’s life changed forever a couple of years later when Jeff Marlow took out a trainer’s licence and quickly enlisted his son as principal trackwork rider. By the time the teenager had ridden a few fast gallops and provided a guest call of a race at Yepoon in 2008, the die was cast. Just three years later the young Queenslander won the fourth edition of a Sky Racing Scholarship and was off and running in the career he’d dreamed about. Now approaching his 32nd birthday, Luke Marlow is recognised as one of the most versatile performers in the Australian racing media. He joins us on the podcast to reflect on a whirlwind fourteen years since arriving in Sydney. He begins by confirming a very important recent development in his personal life.

Luke talks about the never-ending variety in his working life. He lives by the roster.

He talks of the changing face of country racing in NSW where undreamed of prize money levels regularly attract the patronage of major Sydney stables.

Official barrier trials are almost as frequent as TAB race meetings. Luke is frequently called upon to describe the trials for Sky Thoroughbred Central.

He talks of his hosting role on the popular Saturday morning radio programme Racing HQ.

Luke’s talks of the change in his situation when Sky’s Number 2 caller Mitch Manners accepted a full time role with the Gold Coast Turf Club in 2023. He immediately became understudy to the station’s chief caller Darren Flindell. In this capacity he’s had the opportunity to call five editions of the Provincial Championship Final.

The easy going Queenslander talks of early life in his home state with special mention of happy days at the Merlo Downs Thoroughbred Stud. He recalls his introduction to the task of riding trackwork for his father Jeff.

Luke recounts the entertaining story of the day he was invited to call a race on the public address system at a Yepoon meeting in 2008. The winner was trained by his dad and owned by his grandmother. He still regards the occasion as one of the greatest thrills of his life.

He pays tribute to Tony McMahon, the man who gave him the opportunity to call the race that helped shape his destiny.

Luke takes us back to 2011 when he “made the cut” for the fourth Sky Young Race Caller’s Scholarship. He looks back on a week of auditions culminating in a nerve wracking race call at Wyong.

He was in disbelief when the judges voted in his favour.

Seven years after settling into his new job, Marlow was stunned to receive a phone call from the Singapore Turf Club who’d been left short of a race caller when Tom Wood relocated to Hong Kong. Luke agonised over the decision he had to make.

He looks back on an exciting two years in the famous city-state with special emphasis on his meeting with the lovely Kiwi jockey now destined to become his wife.

Luke talks about the ravages of Covid 19 and the soul destroying lockdown endured by all Singaporians. He and Alysha made the decision to return to Sydney.

He pays tribute to Alysha’s work ethic and acknowledges her emergence as one of Sydney’s most in demand jockeys.

Luke explains how he manages to control his emotions when calling races in which his fiancee is competing.

He talks about the legendary NZ racing family from which Alysha descends.

It’s a laid back chat with a young Queenslander whose career path was never in doubt. All he needed was an ounce of luck to make the dream come true.

Golf has long been the most popular pastime of professional jockeys. Some have attained a very high level in the sport, others are happy to “puddle” around once or twice a week with a few mates. Highly respected southern districts jockey Richard Bensley has come up with a recreation far removed from conventional sports. Thanks to the influence of his late father Bryson, Richard is a master exponent of the ancient art of carriage driving. He frequently jumps into a sparkling old world buggy drawn by a high stepping Hackney and competes at the highest level. He’s also ridden more than 900 winners in a successful 25 year career mostly on southern district tracks. Richard Bensley is a podcast guest with a difference. He talks firstly about a promising mare he’s been riding just lately for Goulburn trainer Patrick Murphy.

He acknowledges the talents of former jockey Pat Murphy.

Richard talks about the equine skills of his late father Bryson, his father-in-law Rick Jones and late mother Joanne who was also a noted horsewoman.

The successful jockey talks about his Goulburn property and the large number of horse drawn vehicles tucked away in a shed. One of those vehicles is a century old hearse.

He talks about the never ending work involved in maintaining leather harness and brass fittings.

Richard talks about the English bred Hackney, the horse most commonly used in carriage driving around the world. The breed is diminishing but the jockey does his bit to help save the species.

He pays tribute to wife Melissa, son Mitchell and daughter Chelsea.

Richard remembers the occasion when breeder Peter Stewart told Bryson that his son’s feet were too big for him to even consider becoming a jockey.

He recalls a chance conversation his father had with trainer Ken Callaughan who’d only just moved to the new Goulburn training complex. That conversation changed Richard’s life.

The jockey hasn’t forgotten Callaughan’s all round horsemanship skills.

He remembers his hometrack debut on a Callaughan runner in 2000, and the thrill of his first win at Cootamundra.

Richard says it took him a long time to ride a city winner.

He acknowledges his successful association with trainer Nick Olive for whom he rode more than one hundred winners.

Richard looks back on some of the nice horses he got to ride for the Olive stable.

The jockey looks back with delight on a Black Opal Stakes win for old friend trainer Gratz Vella. He takes us through his win on You’re Canny.

Richard expresses his appreciation of the staunch support he had from the Vella stable.

He looks back on a winning association with Loved Up, a talented mare from the Brett Cavanough yard.

Richard remembers a black type win on Loved Up in the Scone Guineas and the unlikely circumstances that brought him a second stakes win on the same day.

The forty two year old speaks highly of The Monstar, another talented horse from the Brett Cavanough stable. He got to ride the sprinter in a couple of high quality races in Melbourne.

Richard names a handful of outstanding country jockeys for whom he’s had high regard throughout his career.

He looks back on a second placing in a Rosehill TAB Highway destined to be promoted by default.

Richard confirms that retirement is not yet on the radar. That applies to race riding and carriage driving.

Brilliant apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald was shattered recently when a sudden bout of appendicitis interrupted her march towards a possible NSW jockey’s premiership win in just her second season of race riding. The twenty two year old daughter of former successful jockey Malcolm Fitzgerald, had ridden 123 winners in just twenty one months leading up to her recent setback. Only a handful of wins separated Mollie, Aaron Bullock and Jean Van Overmeire at the time of her diagnosis.

Her amazing win rate on northern rivers tracks attracted the attention of the Neasham/Alexander stable who invited her to join the team last October. After five weeks on the sidelines Mollie returned to trackwork duties on Thursday May 1st, and is champing at the bit to resume her premiership chase. She talks about her general malaise leading up to the discovery of appendicitis.

Mollie says she hasn’t given up on catching Bullock and Van Overmeire but realises she now has a tough task.

She talks of the fairy tale start to her riding career.

Mollie has only heard about her father’s riding days but is well aware of his talents and constant battle with weight. She’s grateful to have his guidance and wise counsel in the early stages of her career.

The apprentice brings us up to date with the progress of her two siblings, sister Lacey and brother Cameron.

Mollie talks of her early involvement with the Bellingen Pony Club.

She looks back on a move to Camden Haven when her father was a jockey mentor for Racing NSW.

Mollie remembers Malcolm’s switch of direction when Racing NSW developed a rehoming property on Oxley Island near Taree. While awaiting new ownership the former racehorses had to be exercised on a nearby beach. This was where young Fitzgerald was first bitten by the thoroughbred bug.

She talks about her first job in a racing stable which she juggled with her schooling. Mollie looks back on a pleasing result in the Higher School Certificate.

The young jockey says she put horses aside for a full year while gaining work experience in a local real estate business.

Finally an apprenticeship opportunity came up with Taree trainer Tony Ball. Mollie jumped at the chance and the rest is history.

She talks about the magical day at Bowraville when her first winner came along. Before the day was over, she’d won another race.

Mollie says her dad became her regular chauffeur to many northern meetings. He was the perfect sounding board on the return journey to Taree.

She’s adamant a couple of troublesome wisdom teeth prevented her winning fifty races in her first season.

Mollie acknowledges the great support of Grafton trainer John Shelton who made her the regular rider of Cassia Lane. She won three straight on the genuine mare including the 2024 Inverell Cup. She won the feature sprint on the same day.

She looks back on a special day at Inverell last year when she was one of five female jockeys to make a clean sweep of the programme.

It was another all girls affair at Moree on Sept 1st last year. She was thrilled to win two races including the Moree Cup.

Mollie talks about her day of days so far- four wins and a second from seven rides at an Armidale meeting.

She relives the thrill of winning the Rising Stars Apprentices Series this season.

Mollie talks about the offer from Anabel Neasham and the nice horses she’s already ridden for the stable. Highlight was a treble at Kembla in January. One of the winners has become her stable favourite.

Great to catch up with an intelligent young lady who’s been the talk of racing in the last year or so. It was only a matter of time before she was approached by a Sydney stable. You won’t see her in town for a while yet, but she’s certain to be a favourite with provincial punters while her claim lasts.